Gemma Arterton Leads ‘Made in Dagenham’ to West End

A new musical adaptation of “Made in Dagenham,” the 2010 British indie that starred recent Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, will premiere at the Adelphi Theater on the West End this fall in a production toplined by Gemma Arterton and created by a notable team of film and legit talent.

Richard Bean, who penned West End and Broadway hit “One Man, Two Guv’nors,” writes the book for a tuner with music by David Arnold, who composed music for the “Dagenham” film as well as for Bond pics “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace.” Richard Thomas, lyricist for operas “Jerry Springer” and “Anna Nicole,” writes the lyrics. Rupert Goold, director of the “American Psycho” musical that starred Matt Smith as well as the UK hit (but Broadway flop) “Enron,” helms.

Like 2013 Tony champ “Kinky Boots,” “Made in Dagenham” is based on a UK indie, this one about a woman who leads a 1968 strike of female workers at the Ford factory in the small Brit town of Dagenham. Arterton (“Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,” “Quantum of Solace”) will play Rita, the role portrayed by a Hawkins in the film and a fictionalized version of the woman who led the strike, opposite Adrian der Gregorian on board as Rita’s husband.

Produced by Stage Entertainment (“Rocky”), Glass Half Full Prods. (“X-Factor” musical “I Can’t Sing!”) and Just for Laughs Theatricals, the tuner incarnation of “Made in Dagenham” starts previews Oct. 9 ahead of a Nov. 5 opening at the Adelphi. The current tenant at the Adelphi, “The Bodyguard,” plays there through Aug. 30.